Hello everyone! In this edition of the ramble: not every team gets a prediction for one of their games as I said I would do last week because it’s already Tuesday night as I write this and I have been doing the whole college thing more so than usual this week. Also of note, I’m only doing analysis on 6 teams this week and we might stay at 6 from here on out because of the overwhelming number of irrelevant teams in the conference right now. Anyways, let’s get on with it.
Duke
Duke has taken a bit of a fall lately coming off a bad loss at Clemson and another loss at home to Louisville. That being said, they just bounced back with a huge victory over Miami. Miami is a really bad team, and Duke did what great teams do to bad teams. K’s squad has some issues defensively with Wendell Moore still out with an injury, but the W against the Hurricanes is a step back in the right direction for the Blue Devils.
NC State
NC State is coming off a solid week. While a 60-54 win over Clemson and a 53-51 win over a struggling Virginia team don’t necessarily look that good on paper, those are games the Pack don’t win a year ago. Markell Johnson is a baller, and he finally has a supporting cast with guys like CJ Bryce. This gives State a secondary scoring option to Markell Johnson and CJ has taken advantage of his opportunity. Now a message to State fans, you literally won the game against Virginia. Stop complaining about the officiating in a game that you won, that’s not something that has historically happened for the Pack. You’ve been angry (and for good reason) long enough. Celebrate, y’all. Winning should be fun!
North Carolina
What is there left to say about Carolina? They are turrible (no, that is not a typo.) Say what you want about Roy Williams comment about this being the “least gifted” team he has coached, but that statement was 100 percent true. Maybe when Cole Anthony is back the Heels can get a win against NC State or something.There’s not really anything else to look forward to if you’re a Carolina fan.
Syracuse
The Orange just needed to figure out how to win games without relying on the 3 point shot. Against Virginia Tech, they did just that. Buddy Boeheim took some drives to the hoop, as did Elijah Hughes. And some solid paint minutes for Quincy Guerrier got the job done for the Orange in Blacksburg. Syracuse has now won 3 consecutive games. Cuse has finally found their stride and will start creeping closer to the projected field of 68 if they keep it up.
Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech is so much fun to watch. The team shoots 3 after 3 after 3 and when you have shooters like the Hokies do, it’s a pretty sight. The issue for Tech remains though in that they have no paint defense. Syracuse exposed their interior defense on Saturday. Look for their opponents to start feeding the low post from here on out. Earth to Carolina: feed Garrison Brooks in the post Wednesday night.
Notre Dame
John Mooney is one of the best rebounders in the country, but he can’t win games for the Irish alone. Notre Dame finally got a scoring performance from someone not named Mooney. Prentiss Hubb gashed Georgia Tech for 25 points in a hard fought victory in Atlanta. Notre Dame has an outside shot at the tournament, but they’re going to need somebody to consistently help out John Mooney. Prentiss Hubb looks like he might fit the part.
Power Rankings
- Florida State
- Louisville
- Duke
- NC State
- Syracuse
- Virginia Tech
- Virginia
- Clemson
- Notre Dame
- Pittsburgh
- Georgia Tech
- Miami
- Boston College
- Wake Forest
- North Carolina
Predictions
Syracuse at Notre Dame: Syracuse 78-77
North Carolina at Virginia Tech: Virginia Tech 83-68
Clemson at Louisville: Louisville 73-62
NC State at Georgia Tech: Georgia Tech, 65-62
Virginia at Wake Forest: Virginia 55-51
Last week’s picks: 6-2
Season record: 25-14